Montel Williams

Biography

Montel Williams earned his media celebrity status as an inspirational Emmy Award-winning television personality whom Americans invited into their homes for more than 17 years. He is a decorated former naval officer, inspirational speaker, author, entrepreneur and advocate for patients worldwide. Read More >

Before and after the success of his television show, Williams has been passionately involved in many projects that he has transformed into major initiatives with the aim of helping others. Williams’ main focus is his Living Well campaign, which encourages and supports people trying to live their best lives with a focus on their physical, mental, emotional, spiritual and financial health.

In 2011 Williams founded NeuroHabilitation Corporation (NHC), a company he formed with three scientific inventors after Williams was involved in an MS study with the treatment at the University of Wisconsin. NeuroHabilitation Corporation, now a subsidiary of Helius Medical Technologies, Inc, is working with the US Army to further develop and evaluate the PoNS™ device for use with soldiers who have experienced blast-related traumatic brain injuries.

Because of Williams’ own military service, he has a special place in his heart for our servicemen and women. Williams serves on the board of the Fisher House Foundation and has gone to Afghanistan to visit with US troops on the frontline. He is also serves on advisory boards for MSRuntheUS and the We Are family Foundations. Giving back has always been a priority for Williams. Over the years he has been involved in charities promoting diversity, the welfare of children, animal rights and the well-being of active duty troops and veterans to name just a few. Williams was recently named as a Special Envoy to the United Nations Shark Coalition for his advocacy of sustainable oceans.

Williams hosted The Montel Williams Show, a nationally syndicated talk show distributed by CBS Paramount Television, for 17 years, taping over 3,500 shows and interviewing more than 30,000 guests focusing on key social issues involving ordinary people coping with extraordinary circumstances. He received a Daytime Emmy® Award for Outstanding Talk Show Host and his show was nominated for Outstanding Talk Show two years in a row.

Williams enjoys acting and performs whenever his schedule permits. Over the years, viewers may have seen him on hit television programs including All My Children, American Dreams and JAG. Williams contributed to the long-running dramatic series Guiding Light playing “Clayton Boudreau”, which landed him a nomination in 2009 for a NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in Television Series. He also starred in the critically acclaimed off-Broadway play The Exonerated. Williams also starred and executive produced a prime time network series for CBS, The Education of Matt Waters.

Williams has been a prolific author of uplifting and practical books, of which four became bestsellers. They include Living Well Emotionally: Breakthrough to a Life of Happiness, Living Well: 21 Days to Transform Your Life, Supercharge Your Health, and Feel Spectacular, Climbing Higher, Body Change, Life Lessons and Reflections, A Dozen Ways to Sunday: Stories of Hope and Courage, Mountain Get Out of My Way: Life Lessons and Learned Truths and Practical Parenting.

Williams began his professional career in the United States Marine Corp and was the first black Marine selected to the Naval Academy Prep School to then go on to graduate from the Unites States Naval Academy. Williams earned a degree in general engineering and a minor in international security affairs. He also earned a degree from the Defense Language Institute in Russian and Mandarin Chinese. While serving in the military Williams was the recipient of two Meritorious Service Medals, two Navy Commendation Medals, two Navy Achievement Medals and various other military awards and citations.

Williams is a passionate snowboarder, traveling the world heli-boarding whenever his schedule allows. He is the proud father of four adult children and resides in New York City with his wife Tara.

Williams is a board member for the Fisher House Foundation, which provides military families housing close to a loved one during hospitalization for an illness, disease or injury. Being deeply involved in veteran issues, he has seen that of them had suffered some form of concussion or TBI. Williams wants to make people aware of the fact that there is possibility and hope. Read Less ^

Speech Topics

Improving Communications & Productivity at Home & in the Office

Overcoming the Odds

Self Empowerment

Health & Fitness

Tackling Traumatic Brain Injury

Testimonials

"Wow, the crowd was really engaged and appreciative. He was very gracious and energetic moving through the crowd. They had lots of questions and he would have entertained all of them if there was time."